Tractor loading attachment



Jan. 1, 1957 J. A. DICKMANDER TRACTOR LOADING ATTACHMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 12, 1954.

INVENTOR Jan. 1, 1957 J. A. DICKMANDER TRACTOR LOADING ATTACHMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 12,-1954 EYE] INVENTOR United States Patent TRACTOR LOADING ATTACHMENT Julius A. Dickmander, Freedom Township, Henry County, Ohio Application August 12, 1954, Serial No. 449,314 16 Claims. (Cl. 214-140) This invention relates to a new and improved tractor loading attachment. More particularly the invention relates to a loading device attached to the rear of a tractor arranged for loading and carrying material. My improved device also provides an auxiliary support for carrying steering is difficult with this type of loader because sub-' stantially all of the weight is on the front wheels. The present type of rear-end loader has also proven to be unsatisfactory because of the danger of tipping the tractor over backwards. Guiding is also difficult in the present type of rear-end loader because of insufiicicnt weight on the front wheels.

My improved rearend loader eliminates the possibility of the tractor tipping backward, eliminates the need of counterweights, provides traction for the rear wheels and eliminates excessive weight on the front wheels.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a loading device that can not tip the tractor.

Another object of my invention is to provide a rear-end loading device that has a great lifting power.

Another object of my invention is to provide a rearend loading device that has additional break-away power.

Another object of my invention is to provide a loader that eliminates the need of counterweights.

Another object of my invention is to provide a loader that provides sufficient weight on the rear wheels for traction.

Another object of my invention is to provide a tractor loading device that minimizes the weight on the front wheels, thereby, providing easy steering.

Another object of my invention is to provide an auxiliary support for lifting or transporting loads.

Another object of my invention is to provide a loading device that can readily be attached or removed from the tractor.

Another object of my invention is to provide a rearend loader that is strong, durable and inexpensive.

Other and further objects of the inventionwill be apparent from the following description and claims and it be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, which, by way of illustration, show a preferred embodiment and the principles thereof and what I now consider to be the best mode in which I have contemplated applying the principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the sameequivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the scope of the appended claims. I also contemplate that of the several features of my invention, certain ones thereof may be advantageously employed in some applications separate and apart from the remaining features.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a front elevation of my improved rear-end loader, without the load support retracting springs, attached to a tractor and in the lowered position.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of my improved loading device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation of my improved device showing the loader in a partly elevated position when loaded.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing how my improved loading device is hingedly secured to a tractor.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the auxiliary supporting device in its raised position.

Fig. 6 is anenlarged fragmentary view of the auxiliary support.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged end elevation showing the upper channel member of my loading device.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged front elevation of the auxiliary hydraulic cylinder control device used in my novel tractor loading device.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged front elevation of the auxiliary hydraulic cylinder used in my novel tractor loading device.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the catch and trip arrangement for the bucket of my novel loader.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged front elevation of the primary hydraulic cylinder used in my novel rear-end loader.

Referring in more detail to the drawings the reference numeral 1 indicates generally a tractor provided with hydraulic lifter arms 2. The loader frame 3 comprises a pair of spaced side channel members 4 provided with crossmembers 5. The front end of the channel members 4 are provided with vertical arm members 6 which in turn are hingedly secured to the brackets 7. The brackets 7 are provided by most tractors and in case they are not provided by the tractor they may be secured to the rear axle housing 8. The one end of the arm member 10 is secured to side channel members 4 at point 11 and the other is hingedly secured to the tractor by the bolt 12. The hydraulic lifter arms 2 are connected to the arm members 10 by means of the links 13. When the fluid pressure created by the oil pressure pump (not shown) of the tractor is applied to operate the lifter arms 2 the lifter arms 2 turn in a clockwise direction thereby aiding in lifting the loading device so that it turns about the hinge points 7 and 12. A channel member 17 constitutes the uppermost part of the loader frame 3. Supporting angle members 9 extend from the side channels 4 to the upper channel member 17 and are secured thereto by welding or other suitable means.

A bracket 14 is secured to the differential housing of the tractor. The lower end of the hydraulic cylinder 15 is hingedly secured to the bracket 14 by means of the hinge pin 16. The upper end of the hydraulic cylinder 15 is hingedly secured to the channel member 17 by means of the hinge pin 58.

A bucket or scoop 18 is pivotally secured to side channel members 4 at point 19. A tension spring member 20 is provided to pull the scoop 18 back into position after the load is dumped from the scoop.v Fig. 10 shows a ketch arrangement for holding the scoop 18 in position until the load is to be dumped. A catch 21 is pivotably secured to the bracket 22 and catches on the catch bar 23. A spring member 24 holds the catch in position. A rope 25 secured to the catch 21 extends to a position where it is accessible to the operator of the tractor.

When it is desired to dump the load in the scoop 18 the operator pulls the rope 25 which disengages the catch 21 from the catch bar 23 thereby allowing the bucket 18 to dump due to the weight beyondthe fulcrum point 19.

An. auxiliary load. support 484s, provided witha. pair of arm. members 26 which are hingedlysecured to the bracket 7. The rear end of the arm members 26 are secured to the channel member 27 as shown inFig; 6. A substantially semicylindrical plate member 28 is secured to the under side of. the channel member 27 to provide a load bearing surface. Wheels 29 are removably mounted on the axle 30 which in turn is mounted on the channel member 27-. An upwardly-open channel member 31 is mounted above the channel member 27. The auxiliary hydraulic cylinder 32 isthingedl'y secured in the channel 31 by means of a pin or bolt 33 shown in Fig. 6. The upper end of the auxiliary cylinder 32 is hingedly secured inthe upper chaunelmember 17. The pin 33 is located substantially directly above. the axle 30. so that substantially all of the load exerted by the hydraulic cylinder 32 is carried by the auxiliary support and not by the tractor. Fig. 9 shows the auxiliary hydraulic. cylinder 32 in more detail. The lower endof the auxiliary hydraulic cylinder 32 is provided with an eye 42 through which the pin 33-is placedto hingedly secure the auxiliary hydraulic cylinder 32 to the downwardly open channel member 31 while the upper end isprovided with an eye 43 for hingedly securing the auxiliary hydraulic cylinder 32 to the upper channel member 17. A pipe connection 44 islocated near thelower end; of theauxiliary hydraulic cylinder 32. A pressure hose 45 is secured. to the pipe connection 44 and extends to a hydraulic pressure outlet (not shown) on the tractor. When fluid under pressure is forced by the pump on the tractorthrough the hose 45 and the pipe connection 44. into the hydraulic cylinder 32 the piston rod 46. is forced upward. The primary hydraulic cylinder 15 is shown in Fig. 11. It is very similar to the auxiliary hydraulic cylinder 32 and is provided with a pipe. connection 52 and a pressure hose line 53, which leads to the same source as-the pressure hose line 45.

A control device 47' is provided to adjustably limit the travel of the piston rod 46 of the auxiliary hydraulic cylinder 32. The control device 47 shown in more detail in Fig. 8 comprises a U-shaped member 34. A tubularmember 35 is secured. in the bottom of the U-shaped member to provide an eye for hingedly securing the control device 47; in" theupwardly open channel 31 arrear to the auxiliary hydraulic cylinder 32'. members are secured to the sides of the U-shaped member 34 at the upper end thereof. An adjusting bar of rectangular cross section isprovided with an eye 38- at The upper end of thebar-37' is hingedly the upper end. secured in. the upper channel-member 1-7 by means of a pin 41 shown in Fig. 7. The bar 37 is provided with a plurality of apertures 39-. v A pin 43 is placed in one of the apertures 39, thereby limiting the travel of the bar 37. When the piston rod 46 is forced upward it raises the upper channel 11 to which the rod 37 is hingedly secured thereby raising the bar- 37. When the pin 4t) reaches the plate members 36 the travel of the piston rod 46 is stopped because the control device 47 limits the maximum. distance between the upper channel 11 and the auxiliary support 48. This will readily be seen from the fact that the auxiliary hydraulic cylinder and the control device 47 are both. secured between the upper channel 11 and the upwardly open channel 31. By placing the pin 40 in various positions in the apertures 39 various travels of the piston rod 46 are obtained.

A pair of tension spring members are secured at the upper end to the differential housing ofthe tractor and the lower ends of the spring members 49' are secured to the arms 26. of the auxiliary support 48. The tension of the springs 49 retracts the; auxiliary support to the position shown in Fig. after the control. device 47 reaches A pair of plate its maximum travel and the auxiliary hydraulic cylinder 32 is no longer effective. The springs 49 also retract the auxiliary support when there is no pressure exerted by the hydraulic cylinder 32. Hence the auxiliary support 48 contacts the ground only during the time that the auxiliary hydraulic cylinder is aiding in lifting or supporting the load.

The frame 59 of my improved loader comprises the spaced side channel members 4, the upper channel member 17, the inclined angle members 9, the upwardly extending arm members 6 and the. arm members 10. When using my improved rear-end loader the loader islowered to the position shown in Fig. 1. The tractor is then backed into the material to be loaded, thereby, forcing the material onto the bucket 18. The hydraulic pressure is then applied by means of a lever on the tractor. This hydraulic pressure operates the lifter arms 2 and at the same time the fluid pressure is communicated through the pressure lines 45- and 53 to the hydraulic cylinders 15 and 32. The fluid pressure causes thepiston rodsv 46:

and 51 to travel upward. thereby lifting the loaderfram-e 50 which pivots about the hinge points 7 and 12. In. this way the load in the bucket ISisliftcd.

It will be noted that the; force orloadfrom the hydraulic cylinder, 1.5is transmitted to the tractor-through the bracket 14 While the force or'load of the auxiliary hydraulic cylinder 32 is carried by theauxiliary support 48. Since the auxiliary support 48 carries a large part-of the load it is impossible to tip the tractor backward, thereby eliminating the danger of overturning the tractor. As

the load in the bucket 18' is lifted the lever arm, which is the horizontal distance between the hinge points 7 and 12 and the center of gravity of the loader and the load, is shortened. Less force is then required. to lift the load, therefore, the auxiliary hydraulic cylinder 32 is no longer required. As soon as the pin. 40 reaches the plate members 36 the auxiliary hydrauliccylinder 32 becomes inefiective. The hydraulic cylinder 15 and the lifter arms 2 then lift the -load.. As the load continues upward the tension in the springs 49 lifts the auxiliary support 43 off of the ground; The load may be stopped at any desired; height by turning. off the hydraulic pressure by means of a lever'located on the tractor. if the load is allowed to rise it will automatically stop when the lifter arms 2 reach a predetermined position. After the load is lifted to the desired height the load can be carried to a truck, manure spreader or any desired place. The operator then pulls the rope 25 which pulls the latch 21 from; the stop bar 23. The weight in the bucket 18 then dumps the load. After the load inthe bucket 18 is; dumped the tension in the spring 20 pulls the'bucket back into position for reloading. The catch 21 then latches over the stop bar 23 locking the bucket in position. The tractor is then maneuvered into position forfilling the bucket 18 for the next load. The hydraulic pressure is then released by a lever (not shown)- on the tractor. This permits the frame 50 to lower into the position shown in Fig. l. The loader is now ready to be backed up for the next load.

The bucket can be raised to any position intermediate the ground level and the top position, held in this position and then transported to the desired location. if heavy loads are to be transported in this manner the control device 47 is adjusted so that the wheels 29 remain on the ground to help support the load while it is transported. Since a large portion ofthe weight remains on the front wheels when the auxiliary support carries part of the load traction isprovided for good steering.

In loading manure, dirt and similar material the breakaway force required is much greater than the force requiredto lift the material. My improved rear-end loader is particularly adapted to provide the necessary breakaway force. The auxiliary hydraulic cylinder 32 provides additional power for breakaway. Since the auxiliary support 48. carries the load created by the auxiliary hydrauthe cylinder 32 the danger of tipping the tractor backward during breakaway is eliminated.

The wheels 29 are removable from the auxiliary support 48. When the auxiliary hydraulic cylinderSZ is used only for providing breakaway force and the ground is not firm the semicylindrical shoe 28 provides a suitable weight bearing surface.

My improved rear-end loaderis readily removed from the tractor by removing the hingepins 7 and 12, the bracket 14 and the hydraulic pressure lines 45. and 53. It will readily be seen that it is equally simple to attach the loader to the tractor.

Mynovel loader can also be used for loading boxes, machinery and the like on trucks, rail cars and storage places. Likewise it can be used for unloading purposes.

From the above description it is apparentthat my novel rear-end tractor loader has many advantages over the present type loaders. weights and the danger of overturning the tractor. Tests have proven that my novel loader has greater breakaway power than the present type loaders as well as greater carrying capacity than the present type loaders. My improved loader provides better traction than the front-end loaders and better steering than the present type of rearend loaders. tached than the present type of loaders.

It is apparent that many modifications in my present and novel rear-end loader can be made. For example a self-leveling bucket can be used instead of the bucket 18 shown. Various trip arrangements for dumping the bucket 18 can also be utilized. The frame can be altered.

to provide greater strength. It is possible to use a chain in place of the control device 47. It is also possible to eliminate the hydraulic cylinder 15 and utilize the lifter arms 2 for lifting small loads.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred em bodiment of my invention it will be understood from the above remarks that various details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing. from" the principles of this invention, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the particular forms shown and'described, but desire to avail myself to such changes and alterations as fall withinthe purview of the following claims.

What I claim is: i

1. A rear end loader of the type described provided with a hydraulic lifting means adapted to be supported by a tractor and an auxiliary hydraulic lifting means supported by a load carrying device adapted to be hingedly secured to said tractor, said auxiliary lifting means adapted to operate simultaneously with said hydraulic lifting means during a predetermined period.

2. A rear-end loader of the type described comprising a frame adapted to be hingedly'secured to a tractor, a hydraulic cylinder hingedly secured to a supporting bracket, said bracket adapted to be secured to said tractor, said hydraulic cylinder arranged to lift said frame, a load supporting means hingedly secured to said tractor rearwardly thereof and an auxiliary hydraulic cylinder hingedly mounted on said load supporting means arranged to assist in lifting said frame.

3. A rear-end loader of the type described comprising a frame adapted 'to be hingeably secured to a tractor, a hydraulic cylinder hingeably secured to a supporting bracket, said bracket adapted to be secured to said tractor, said hydraulic cylinder arranged to be capable of lifting said frame, a load supporting means adapted to be hingeably secured to said tractor, an auxiliary hydraulic cylinder hingeably mounted on said load supporting means, said auxiliary cylinder arranged to be capable of assisting in lifting said frame, a control valve adapted to control the fluid pressure to both ofsaid hydraulic cylinders and a control means independent of said fluid pressure adapted to limit the operation of'said auxiliary hydraulic cylinder.

4. A rear-end loader of the type described comprising a frame adapted to be hingeably secured to a tractor, a

It eliminates the use of counter-,

It is also more readily removed and atsupporting bracket adapted to be secured to said tractor,

a hydraulic cylinder hingeably secured to said supporting bracket, said hydraulic cylinder arranged to raise and lower said frame as desired, a load supporting means adapted to be hingeably secured to said tractor, an auxiliary hydraulic cylinder hingeably mounted on said load supporting means, said auxiliary cylinder arranged to assist in raising and lowering said frame, a control means adapted to limit the operation of said auxiliary hydraulic cylinder and a resilient means adapted to retract said load supporting means when the fluid pressure to said auxiliary cylinder is released. 1

5. A rear-end loader of the type described comprising a frame adapted to be secured to a tractor, a load engaging means secured to said frame, a hydraulic lifting means supported by said tractor and hingedly secured to said frame, a hydraulic cylinder mounted on a weight supporting means, said weight supporting means adapted to be attached to said tractor, the upper end of said hydraulic cylinder being hingedly secured to said frame and a single fluid pressure control means adapted to simultaneously control the fluid pressure to said hydraulic lifting means and said hydraulic cylinder.

6. A rear-end loader of the type described comprising a frame adapted to be hingedly secured to a tractor, a load engaging means secured to said frame, a hydraulic lifting means supported by said tractor and hingedly secured, to said frame, a hydraulic cylinder mounted on a weight supporting mechanism adapted to be secured to said tractor, the upper end of said hydraulic cylinder being. hingedly secured to said frame, a linkage connecting said frame and said weight supporting mechanism adapted to limit the operation of said hydraulic cylinder and a resilient means adapted to retract said weight supporting mechanism when no fluid pressure is applied to said hydraulic cylinder.

7. A loading attachment for a tractor provided with a frame adapted to be hingedly secured to said tractor, said frame provided with a dumping bucket, a bracket adapted to be secured to said tractor, a hydraulic cylinder hingedly mounted on said bracket, the upper end of said hydraulic cylinder hingedly secured to the upper portion of said frame, an auxiliary load carrying means adapted to be hingedly secured to said tractor, an auxiliary hydraulic cylinder, the lower end of said auxiliary hydraulic cylinderv hingedly secured to said auxiliary load carrying means and the upper endsecured to said upper portion of said frame, a pressure line adapted to extend from said tractor to each of said hydraulic cylinders and a linkage adapted to operate independently of said pressure line, said linkage adapted to control the operation of said auxiliary hy-.

draulic cylinder.

8. A loading attachment for a tractor comprising a frame, said frame comprising a pair of spaced side channel members adapted to be hingedly secured to said tractor, a plurality of cross members secured to said side channel members, a downwardly open channel member located above said side channel members, a plurality of angle members extending from said side channel members and said downwardly open channel member and secured thereto, a load engaging device pivotably mounted near one end of said side channel members, a linkage adapted to connect said frame to the lifter arms provided by said tractor, -a load bearing bracket adapted to be secured to the rear of said tractor, a hydraulic cylinder hingedly secured between said load bearing bracket and said downwardly open channel member, a fluid pressure line adapted to extend from said hydraulic cylinder to a fluid pressure source supplied by said tractor, a load carrying mechanism provided with a fixed load bearing shoe and a plurality of load bearing wheels, said wheels being removeable from said load carrying mechanism, an auxiliary hydraulic cylinder hingedly secured between said load carrying mechanism and said downwardly open channel, a fluid pressure line adapted to extend from said auxiliary hydraulic cylinder to said fluid pressure source supplied 7 bysaid tractor and a means operating independent of either-of said fluid pressure lines adapted to limitthe operation of said auxiliary hydraulic'cylinder.

9. A loading attachment for a tractor comprising a frame, said frame comprising a pair of spaced sidechannel members, said side channel members provided with arm members adapted to be hingedly securedto a tractor, a plurality of cross members secured to said side channel members, a downwardly open channel member located above said side channel members, a plurality of angle members extending from said side channel members to said downwardly open channel member and secured thereto, a load carrying device pivotably mounted near one end of said spaced side channel members, a linkage adapted to connect said frame to the lifter arms provided by said tractor, a load bearing bracket adapted to be secured to the rear of said tractor, a hydraulic cylinder hingedly secured between said load bearing bracket and said downwardly extending open channel member, a fluid pressure line adapted to extend from said hydraulic cylinder to a fluid pressure source provided by said tractor, a load bearing mechanism provided with a fixed load hearing shoe and a pair of load bearing wheels, said load bearing mechanism provided with a pair of arms adapted to be hingedly secured to said tractor, anauxiliary hydraulic cylinder hingedly secured between said load bearing mechanism and said downwardly open channel, a fluid pressure line adapted to extend from said auxiliary hydraulic cylinder to said fluid pressure source provided by said tractor, a linkage hingedly secured between said downwardly open channel and said load bearing mechanism and operating independently of either of said fluid pressure lines, said linkage adapted to control the operation of said auxiliary hydraulic cylinder, said link-age also adapted to retract said load bearing mechanism after said auxiliary hydraulic cylinder is rendered inoperative by said linkage and a resilient means adapted to retract said load bearing mechanism when said auxiliary hydraulic cylinder is not subjected to fluid pressure.

10. A rear end loader of the type described provided with a hydraulic lifting means adapted to be supported by a tractor, an auxiliary hydraulic lifting means supported by a load carrying device adapted to be hingedly secured to said tractor and a resilient means adapted to retract said auxiliary lifting means when the fluid pressure to said auxiliary hydraulic lifting means is released.

11. A rear end loader of the type described provided with a load carrying frame, a hydraulic lifting means supported by a tractor and adapted to lift said load carrying frame, an auxiliary hydraulic lifting means supported by a load carrying device hingedly secured to said tractor, said auxiliary hydraulic lifting means adapted to lift said lead carrying frame and an adjustable non-hydraulic means adapted to limit the operation of said auxiliary hydraulic lifting means.

12. A rear end loader of the type described comprising a hydraulic lifting means supported by a tractor, an

auxiliary hydraulic lifting means supported by a load carrying device hingedly secured to said tractor, said hy- 8 draulic lifting means and said auxiliary hydraulic lifting means adapted to lifttheysame load andcontrolled by a single hydraulic pressure-controlvalve;

13. A rear end loader of-the type described provided with-a--hydraulic-lifting means supported by-a tractor andan-aux-iliary'hydraulic lifting means supported by -a load carrying device adapted to be hingedly securedito saidtractor, said auxiliary liftingmeans adapted to. aid

said hydraulic lifting means during apredetermined initial lifting period; v

14. A rear-end loader of the type described provided with a load carrying frame hingedlysecured to a tractor, a hydraulic lifting meansadapted to be supported by said tractor and -hingedly secured to said loadcarrying frame, a"hydraulic cylindermounted on a weight supporting. means, saidr weight supporting meansadapted to be hingedly secured-zto-said' tractor, the-upper end: of said hydraulic cylinder-beinghingedlysecured to said. load carrying frame, a linkage adapted to :limitthe operation of said hydraulic cylinder, said. linkage. alsov adapted to retract said weight supporting. means after said hydraulic cylinder is: rendered inoperative and a means adapted to retract-said weight supporting means when the fluid pressure to said hydraulic cylinder is released.

15. A rear-end loader of the type described compris ing a load carrying frame adapted. to be hingedly secured to a tractor,.a hydraulic cylinder adapted to be hingedly secured to said tractor and arranged to be capableof lifting said loadcarrying frame, a load supporting means adapted to behingedly secured to said tractor, anauxiliary hydraulic cylinder mounted on said load. supporting-means. and arranged to be capable of assisting in .lifting said load carrying frameat predetermined periods, both of said hydraulic cylinders provided with fluid pressure linesleading to a common, fluid. pressure source and. controlled by a. common valve.

16. A rear-end. loader. of the, type described comprising. a frame. adaptedyto be hingedly secured to a tractor, a. hydraulic cylinder adaptedto be supported by saidv tractorandarranged to raise and lower said frame, a load supporting means adapted. to be, hingeably secured to said tractor, an auxiliary hydraulic cylinder mounted, on said load supporting means, said auxiliary: hydraulic. cylinder arranged. to assist in raising, and lowering said frame, a control means adapted to limit the operation of saidv auxiliary hydraulic cylinder, said control means. also adapted to retract said-load supporting means. after said auxiliary hydraulic cylinder is rendered inoperative by said control means and a resilient means adapted to retract said load supporting means when said auxiliary hydraulic cylinder is not subjected to fluid pressure.

Heinzen Jan. 14, 1930 Welby July 6, 1954 

